That's well below the levels seen through the worst of the recession: Newly issued severe enforcement actions peaked in the first half of 2010, with 221 in the first quarter and 220 in the second. Yet despite the decrease, more than 1,000 banks and thrifts - nearly 14 percent of the industry - are still operating under such actions issued after 2007, SNL found.

Among the severe enforcement actions counted in February: the formal agreements between Charlotte's Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co. and other lenders with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency related to the $25 billion mortgage settlement between big banks and government officials.